On March 15, 2024, Consultant Wang Chuan-chong of the Legislative Yuan attended at 10 a.m. the inauguration of five parliamentary friendship associations; these bodies include Taiwan-ASEAN Countries Parliamentary Amity Association and Taiwan-Kingdom of Bhutan Parliamentary Amity Association, convened by Legislator Ma Wen-chun; Taiwan-Southeast Asia Parliamentary Friendship Association and Association for Countermeasures against Decreasing Fertility Rate by Legislator Chen Ching-hui; Taiwan-the Republic of South Africa Parliamentary Amity Association by Legislator Yu Hao. Also in attendance were Legislators Ko Chih-en, Lu Yu-ling, Hsu Hsin-ying, Wu Tsung-hsien, Lin Pei-hsiang, Huang Chien-pin, Huang Jen, Ko Ju-chun, Cheng Cheng-chien, Chang Chia-chun, Lee Yen-hsiu, Wang Hung-wei, and Liao Wei-hsiang; Deputy Foreign Minister Tien Chung-kwang; Deputy Trade Representative Timothy Seow of Singapore Trade Office in Taipei; Deputy Representative Ngo Phuong Thao of Vietnam Economic and Culture Office in Taipei; Vice Chairperson Lu Yuan-rong of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC); Director Chien Hui-jiuan of the Social and Family Affairs Administration, under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW); Deputy Director Kuo Chih-yin of the Division of Preschool Education, K-12 Education Administration, under the Ministry of Education (MOE).
   
The inauguration commenced with the addresses by Conveners Ma, Chen, and Yu, and group photos were taken with all the legislators and guests present, followed by a remark by Consultant Wang on behalf of the Legislative Yuan. Wang pointed out that geopolitical shifts affect the global supply chain; in the face of the economic rise of Southeast Asian countries, Taiwan continues to work together with Southeast Asian nations in various fields, including trade, investment, industrial development, as well as close exchanges in culture and education. Bhutan, a world-renowned Buddhist country, to many people is a paradise detached from worldly concerns; it has also been considered the happiest country in the world. Although Bhutan features a rather harsh natural environment, severe living conditions, and low average income per capita, which render low economic growth compared to other countries, its religious practices allow people to achieve spiritual enlightenment. In this regard, creating a happy society is perhaps a goal that the government, both the ruling party and the opposition parties, could work for; such a vision is also what all democratic countries in the world are trying to achieve.
   
Consultant Wang continued to point out that Taiwan and Africa are thousands of miles apart on the map, but South Africa and Taiwan have always maintained a partnership with continued collaboration and exchanges. It is believed that with the efforts from legislative diplomacy, the ties between Taiwan and South Africa will be closer and deepened without a doubt. In addition, birthrates are declining globally, which will lower labor force participation in the future, leading to an inevitable impact on activities such as consumption, investment, and production. As the global economy may fall into stagnation and recession for a long time, it is vital to have countermeasures in place.
   
Consultant Wang also mentioned that the Legislative Yuan is the highest authority in Taiwan for expressing public opinion. The parliamentary amity associations convened and supported by legislators show the importance and recognition that people in Taiwan attach to various affairs. Consultant Wang extended his gratitude to Conveners Ma, Chen, and Yu for their efforts in forming the Associations, which could serve as a platform for various issues to be heard, discussed, and addressed. In closing, Consultant Wang wished success to the inauguration and good health and great fortune to the attending legislators and guests present.
   
Later on, remarks were also given by Deputy Foreign Minister Tien, Deputy Trade Representative Timothy Seow of Singapore; Director Chien of the Social and Family Affairs Administration of the MOHW, and Deputy Director Kuo of the Division of Preschool Education, K-12 Education Administration of the MOE. The event concluded after 1 hour, with the organizational charter of the five associations passed and their president and vice presidents elected.